Nokia Corp. announced it will include Macromedia’s Flash technology in its Series 60 platform, which will then be available to device makers building Series 60 handsets. The move marks Flash’s latest step into the wireless marketplace.
“We are pleased that Macromedia Flash technology will be embedded into the Series 60 Platform to enhance Series 60 licensees’ competitiveness. This cooperation will also address the requirements of the operators who have developed solutions using Flash. The availability of rich Flash content and applications will help drive the adoption of smart phones and increase the operator ARPU,” said Antti Vasara, vice president of Nokia’s mobile software sales and marketing. “We also welcome all Flash developers and designers to build new compelling applications on Series 60 and to create cutting-edge mobile content.”
Although there has been little news about Macromedia’s Flash in North America and Western Europe, the technology is rapidly gaining steam. Indeed, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. recently licensed Flash for use in its handsets.
Flash in wireless is primarily used to render pictures and animations-making wireless Web browsing a more interesting and visually appealing experience. In Japan-often the center of innovation for wireless software technologies-Flash has gained a significant amount of traction due to support from Japan’s largest wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo Inc. The carrier began selling Flash-capable mobile phones in 2003, according to research and consulting firm Yankee Group, and currently there are 15 million Flash-capable DoCoMo phones.
Gary Kovacs, vice president of marketing and mobile and devices for Macromedia, said Flash allows developers to more quickly and efficiently develop content for mobile phones. He said the platform could eventually challenge the dominant role of Java, which currently is the wireless industry’s primary software platform for phone applications.
However, Yankee Group did point out some drawbacks to Flash on mobile phones. In a November report on Flash, the firm said the technology is relatively unsuited for complicated games and other streaming media formats. However, the firm was positive on the potential for Flash.
“Flash Lite can play a crucial role in this transformation of mobile phones into multifunctional handheld terminals,” Yankee Group wrote.
